When I became a therapist, I quickly learned there is a wide range of reasons and circumstances that lead people to seek out mental health services. While that list is massively too long to note, I can honestly tell you that breastfeeding/chestfeeding was not one that would have come to mind if I was on an episode of Family Feud. However, after providing nearly a decade and a half of therapy sessions (as well as personally stumbling through a year of nursing a tiny tot), I can tell you with utmost certainty that the topic of breastfeeding/chestfeeding shows up in therapy…and it might not be for the reasons you expect. In fact, the actual act of breastfeeding/chestfeeding can have a positive effect on maternal mental health outcomes yet many nursing parents will tell you that this journey, while incredibly rewarding, can also be difficult. In the United States especially, parents are not automatically offered nearly enough support when it comes to managing the stressors associated with breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Whether we’re talking about parental leave benefits, inviting/private spaces to nurse/pump, adequate education, access to providers, etc. our country falls short which can make the postpartum period even more challenging.
To help explore the relationship between mental health and breastfeeding/chestfeeding I contacted Ashley Benz, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
What are the most important things a breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent should know about mental health while breastfeeding?
There is a positive correlation between mood and breastfeeding. Often the media displays breastfeeding as a negative impact on perinatal mental health, but breastfeeding/chestfeeding are evidence-based prevention tools for postpartum mood disorders, including postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety (Click here for supporting research).
What are the potential positive mental health benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding?
Parents who nurse experience less perinatal mood disorders, report that they are happier and have a more calm postpartum period.
Are the benefits of breastfeeding/chestfeeding the same for parents that exclusively pump? If not, are there ways a pumping parent can increase the positive gains?
Direct at-breast feeding allows for more skin-to-skin, which can increase the amount of benefit to mental health. One way pumping parents can simulate this is to spend lots of time skin-to-skin with their baby in kangaroo care.
What are the common misconceptions about breastfeeding/chestfeeding and how do these misconceptions impact the mental health of parents?
People often think that breastfeeding is more difficult and stressful than formula feeding, or that breastfeeding mothers get less sleep than their bottle-feeding counterparts. Research tells us that breastfeeding parents get 45-minutes more sleep per night, on average. We know there is a correlation between increased sleep and decreased postpartum mood disorders (Click here for supporting research). Also – breastfeeding can have a significant learning curve in the beginning but can become quite easy once feeding is well-established.
What are the biggest stressors related to breastfeeding/chestfeeding?
I believe the biggest stressor to families is unrealistic goals. Breastfeeding is natural but learned and it takes time to get the hang of it. Understanding that all infants were made to wake and feed at night and that you might need some help to learn how to nurse will help you set yourself up for success. When it comes to new parenthood, comparison is the thief of joy. Social media has set parents up to compare themselves to parents across the world – who may or may not be sharing their full experience.
How might working with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) help mitigate these stressors?
IBCLCs are experts in breastfeeding – what is both typical and atypical. Having a knowledgeable support person can guide you through any challenges and help you have the easiest experience possible.
How can support people (the non-breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent, family members, friends etc) help combat the potential negative effects of breastfeeding?
Support people can help navigate challenges by reminding the nursing parent why they wanted to breastfeed, helping connect them with a lactation consultant and being a good cheerleader. Support people who subtly discourage a breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent damage the parent’s confidence in their ability to nurse. Caring for the baby while mom naps, bringing them food, doing other household chores – these are tangible ways to support the nursing relationship.
For a variety of reasons, some parents are not able to breastfeed/chestfeed and instead choose donated breastmilk or formula. There is a decent amount of stigma around this and can lead to a variety of feelings including guilt, shame, inadequacy, etc. What is your advice to these parents?
Breastfeeding and chestfeeding look different for different families. Discuss with your lactation consultant a plan that works for your family. Connect with a great perinatal mental health provider and discuss your feelings. Informed and supported is best.
Just like with any other topic, there is not one right answer when it comes to how someone feeds their baby, and whatever emotional experience connected to that choice is valid. It would be impossible and irresponsible to imply that we’ve 100% covered the complex relationship between mental health and breastfeeding/chestfeeding. However, it’s important to note that in addition to the aforementioned factors, things like parental past trauma, socioeconomic disparities, racial inequities and/or gender identification, etc. can also impact a parent’s experience.
More than anything the message I hope you receive in reading this is that you are not alone, there is not a one size fits all model and ultimately, however you choose feed your baby, it can be a positive experience if you have the right supports in place.
To learn more about the various ways working with an IBCLC could be helpful to you and your family, and/or to schedule a consult with Ashley, check out her website by clicking here.
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